First Reading (James 5:13-20)
Reading of the Letter of Saint James.
Dear friends, if anyone among you is suffering, let him resort to prayer. If someone is happy, sing hymns. If anyone among you is sick, send for the elders of the Church, so that they may pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Prayer made with faith will save the sick person and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will receive forgiveness. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another to achieve health.
The fervent prayer of the righteous has great power. So Elijah, who was a man like us, prayed insistently that it would not rain, and there was no rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit again.
My brothers, if anyone among you strays from the truth and another leads him back, let him know that whoever leads a wayward sinner back will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 10,13-16)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, they brought children for Jesus to touch them. But the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not forbid them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will not will enter it.” He hugged the children and blessed them, laying hands on them.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great joy and humility that we gather today to reflect on the Word of God. The readings we have just heard invite us to a life of prayer, faith, mutual care and welcoming children, who are models of purity and humility.
Let’s start with the First Reading, taken from the Letter of James. “Is anyone among you distressed? Pray. Is anyone happy? Sing hymns.” James reminds us of the importance of prayer in all circumstances of our lives. When we are distressed, we must turn to God, seeking comfort and strength in his presence. And when we are happy, we should express our gratitude through praise.
James also teaches us about the effectiveness of community prayer: “If anyone is sick, call the elders of the Church, and they will pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Here, we see the importance of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, a moment of grace in which the community comes together to ask for the healing and strengthening of its sick members. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our difficulties; the Church, as the body of Christ, is always ready to support us.
Furthermore, James encourages us to confess our sins to one another and to pray for one another to be healed. This highlights the importance of confession and forgiveness in the Christian life. The fervent prayer of the righteous has great power and can do wonders. The example of Elijah, who prayed fervently for it not to rain and then for it to rain, shows us that God answers the prayers of those who seek Him with a sincere heart.
We then move on to the Gospel of Mark, where we see Jesus welcoming the children. “Let the children come to me, do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them.” This passage reveals to us the loving heart of Jesus and His deep compassion. Children, with their purity, innocence and dependence, are examples of how we should approach God. Jesus calls us to have a heart similar to that of children: trusting, humble and open to divine love.
When the disciples tried to take the children away, Jesus was indignant and insisted that they be brought to Him. This attitude teaches us to value and protect the small and vulnerable in our society. We must create an environment where children are welcomed, loved and instructed in the ways of the Lord. They are a precious gift and a sacred responsibility.
Welcoming children also challenges us to reflect on how we treat the “little ones” in our lives – those who may be considered insignificant or powerless in the eyes of the world. Jesus shows us that everyone is valuable in God’s eyes and that we should treat each person with dignity and respect.
Reflecting on these readings, we are called to a life of deep prayer and care for others. Prayer is the basis of our relationship with God. It sustains us in times of need and allows us to express our gratitude in times of joy. We must cultivate a life of personal and community prayer, recognizing that God is always present and attentive to our needs.
Furthermore, we are called to care for one another, especially the sick and afflicted. The practice of anointing the sick and community prayer are ways in which the Church demonstrates its love and care for its members. By confessing our sins and praying for one another, we promote healing and reconciliation, strengthening the unity of the body of Christ.
The Gospel challenges us to adopt an attitude of humility and acceptance. We must value and protect children, recognizing the presence of God in them. And, as Jesus showed us, we must be attentive to the most vulnerable in our society, welcoming them with love and compassion.
To illustrate this message, I would like to share a story.
There was a small village where a very rich man lived. He had everything he could want: a big house, lots of possessions and respect from others. However, he felt an emptiness in his heart. One day, he found a group of children playing happily. They didn’t have many toys, but their joy and simplicity deeply touched the man’s heart.
Moved by this experience, he began spending more time with children, listening to their stories and playing with them. Little by little, he began to realize that true wealth was not in his material possessions, but in the simplicity, purity and joy that children shared. He learned to value every moment, to be more generous and to live with a more open and loving heart.
This story reminds us that it is often the simplest things that bring the greatest joy and meaning to our lives. Children, with their innocence and joy, show us the way to a deeper relationship with God and others.
Let us now apply these principles to our daily lives. First, may we intensify our prayer life. If we are distressed, let us turn to God for comfort and guidance. If we are happy, let us express our gratitude through hymns and praises. And, as a community, may we continue to unite in prayer, especially for the sick and needy.
Secondly, let us be caretakers of each other. May we be ready to offer our support, love and prayers to those who are experiencing difficulties. The practice of confession and forgiveness should be a regular part of our Christian lives, promoting healing and unity among us.
Finally, let us welcome children and the vulnerable with the love and compassion of Christ. May we learn from the purity and humility of children, adopting an open and trusting heart. And may we always be attentive to the needs of the weakest and most helpless in our society, treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve.
My brothers and sisters, as we leave here today, let us take with us the hope and determination to live as true followers of Christ. May God’s grace accompany us and may we be instruments of His peace and love in the world. Remember, we are called to be light and salt – let us shine and flavor the world with the goodness, justice and love of God.
May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us on our journey of faith. May we live a life of prayer, mutual care and acceptance, reflecting the presence of Christ in everything we do. Amen.
